National insurrection from within the Church. A couple of links. A little bit of humor.

I am not a huge fan of David French, editor of "The Dispatch" newsletter and columnist for "Time". I do subscribe to the newsletter, as there is usually a lot to be found there of solid conservative journalism, despite my mild distaste for some of Mr. French's rather wishy-washy views. But the other day, Mr. French published a column that I thought was pretty much spot on. Entitled "Only the Church Can Truly Defeat a Christian Insurrection", subtitled, "It’s time to combat the right’s enabling lies."

David points out the following:

... this attack occurred days after the so-called Jericho March, an event explicitly filled with Christian-nationalist rhetoric so unhinged that I warned on December 13 that it embodied “a form of fanaticism that can lead to deadly violence.”

Are you still not convinced that it’s fair to call this a Christian insurrection? I would bet that most of my readers would instantly label the exact same event Islamic terrorism if Islamic symbols filled the crowd, if Islamic music played in the loudspeakers, and if members of the crowd shouted “Allahu Akbar” as they charged the Capitol.

Just playing Whack-A-Mole against QAnon and Stop-The-Steal is not enough. The church needs to stop spreading, or at least enabling, the untruths that feed these events. A Bernie Sanders fanboy shoots up a Republican Congressmen baseball team, so that means that everyone on the left hates you and wants you dead? Seriously?

The Church in America is going to go down in flames if Joe Biden wins? The very gates of hell cannot prevail against the Church, yet you're worried about some temporary political set-back? Since when did the church EVER put its trust in one man or one party other than in Jesus Christ? Never mind, don't answer that. It's too depressing.

The election of Joe Biden will spell the end of America? Didn't we hear the same thing every four years since, well, probably 1996? Or maybe sooner. Yet, here we are. (It's true, the break-up of our nation is probably closer than it has been since 1860. But, if it does happen, the 2020 election will have been a symptom, a big crack in the block, not the cause.)

Bottom line, as I see it, although politics play an important role in the life of an engaged citizen of the United States, as a Christian, my PRIMARY concern is as a citizen of the Kingdom of God, as an ambassador of my Lord to this little patch of ground on this little planet. Nothing happens here beyond my Lord's purview and control, anyway.

We Christians need to focus on our true mission, to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them all that Jesus commands us.

       

Today's links

Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening

• MORNING: "I will help thee, saith the Lord." - Isaiah 41:14
• EVENING: "The Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself." - Daniel 9:26

Today in History, presented by Tara Ross

This Day in History:

Carole Lombard’s tragic WWII War Bonds tour

Carole Lombard and her husband Clark Gable

On this day in 1942, American film actress Carole Lombard is tragically killed in a plane crash as she returns from a WWII War Bonds tour. Her trip had been part of Hollywood’s early response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. ... Jump straight to the full story, here.

A Patriot’s Lament, a Conservative’s Hope

by Esther O'Reilly on Jan. 14, 20121

A thoughtful, nuanced take on the events of January 6. Sympathetic, or perhaps empathetic might be the better word, towards even those caught up in the worst of the MAGA lunacy. Hopeful about the possibility of moving forward, she writes, "But I believe carrying this patriot dream forward in our hearts is the only way for us to survive—as Americans, as conservatives, and as Christians. To that end, God help us, and God bless America."

Folks, as always, it's been a real pleasure. I'm taking tomorrow off, and if health allows, will spend it with the saints.

Don't forget to take a moment to leave a comment and to subscribe. The more interaction like that, the more this little tiny blog will spread.

See ya Monday!

Ron

Discussing "The truth will make you free." Also, a little humor, Charles Spurgeon Morning and Evening, some neat links

On the Ark, Noah probably got milk from the cows.
What did he get from the ducks?
Quakers

John 8:31-32 (NASB 1995)

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Here is a well-known, and oft-misused passage from the Gospel of John. "The truth shall set you free" is a phrase heard from countless politicians and other charlatans. Has been for years, probably for centuries. But, as the saying goes, "You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means" 😉

In this passage, Jesus is speaking to a very select group of people: "those Jews who had believed Him". The context is an argument that Jesus was having with the Pharisees. (Nothing new there, right?) He had proclaimed himself "the light of the world" (v.12). He spoke rather cryptic things about his Father and himself (v.16f), about him going away (v.21), and several other things. 

In the course of the discussion, some of the Jews that were listening to him believed in him (v.30); most, however, did not. They not only did not believe, they were adamantly against him.  So Jesus' comment are directed to those that believed in him (v.30), and believed him (v.31). Do you see the difference? To be one that can legitimately claim to believe IN Jesus, one must also BELIEVE him. In other words, it is not possible to truthfully say that you "believe in Jesus" yet at the same time deny, in word and/or in action, what he actually said.

True discipleship involves remaining continually in his word. The result of remaining in his word is to "know the truth", and that very truth, once absorbed, sets one free.

Free? Free from what? Not physical slavery, but spiritual slavery. Slavery to sin and death (v.34). 

All who have not believed what Jesus has to say, have not believed in Jesus, remain in their natural state, born into slavery to sin, born of their father the devil (v.44).

Children of the devil are destined to remain with their father for all of eternity, an eternity in hell. 

Don't be that guy. Believe what Jesus says. Believe IN him. While you still have time. Today is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 6:2)

Today's links

Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening

"Do as thou hast said."
2 Samuel 7:25

• Morning: "Do as thou hast said." 2 Samuel 7:25
• Evening: "But I give myself unto prayer." Psalm 109:4

Time for Twitter & Co to take responsibility for news — and lies

by Karl D. Stephan - Jan 15, 2021. 

Discusses the now-infamous "Section 230". (Not very flattering to President Trump.)

Three Reasons to Study Scripture in 2021

by Alan Shlemon on Stand to Reason.

"Here’s a basic but good reminder: Christians need to study Scripture. We’ve begun a new year. Why not resolve to do it in 2021? There are at least three reasons why. These are not meant to be the top three reasons or the most important ones. They are just three reasons that came to mind."

The Briefing

by Albert Mohler

• PART I Will the Biden Administration—As Promised—Be the Most LGBTQ-Friendly Administration in American History?
• PART II An Historic London Church Affirms Commitment to Scripture While New Church of England Document Undermines Historic Christian Teaching
• PART III Truth May Be Lonely But It Nonetheless Remains True: The Church of England Attempts to Hold Irreconcilable Positions on Sexuality Simultaneously

A Mid-Winter Family Update

by blogger and author Tim Challies.

Tim and his wife Aileen lost their twenty year old son Nick back in November. He died quite suddenly and unexpectedly while at college. Nick gives us an update on how his family, including Nick's fiancé, are doing and what their up to.

The Great Unraveling

by blogger and journalist Bari Weiss.

Ms. Weiss, who although liberal, is NOT among the "woke" hordes; in fact, she is one of those that signed that famous Letter on Justice and Open Debate in Harper's magazine in July of last year, the letter that really set off a s**t storm on social media. She resigned her job at the NY Times last year precisely because of the increasingly hostile work environment towards "non-woke" types. Anyway, in this essay she shares her rather apocalyptic view of what is to come in the near future, the increasing repression and persecution of all that dare to defy "woke" insanity that has infected most of the "elites" in the US, and in the West in general. The corporate big-wigs, academy, arts & entertainment, publishing, what used to be called "journalism", and so on. If you don't read anything else today - besides your Bible of course! - read this. As I said, she is of the liberal persuasion and I do not agree with everything she stands for, but she is one of the few remaining voices of reason on the left side of the aisle. 

Charles Spurgeon Morning and Evening - "Mighty to Save" Isaiah 63:1

Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening

"Mighty to Save"
Isaiah 63:1

By the words "to save" we understand the whole of the great work of salvation, from the first holy desire onward to complete sanctification. The words are multum in parro: indeed, here is all mercy in one word. Christ is not only "mighty to save" those who repent, but he is able to make men repent. He will carry those to heaven who believe; but he is, moreover, mighty to give men new hearts and to work faith in them. He is mighty to make the man who hates holiness love it, and to constrain the despiser of his name to bend the knee before him. Nay, this is not all the meaning, for the divine power is equally seen in the after-work. The life of a believer is a series of miracles wrought by "the Mighty God." The bush burns, but is not consumed. He is mighty to keep his people holy after he has made them so, and to preserve them in his fear and love until he consummates their spiritual existence in heaven. Christ's might doth not lie in making a believer and then leaving him to shift for himself; but he who begins the good work carries it on; he who imparts the first germ of life in the dead soul, prolongs the divine existence, and strengthens it until it bursts asunder every bond of sin, and the soul leaps from earth, perfected in glory. Believer, here is encouragement. Art thou praying for some beloved one? Oh, give not up thy prayers, for Christ is "mighty to save." You are powerless to reclaim the rebel, but your Lord is Almighty. Lay hold on that mighty arm, and rouse it to put forth its strength. Does your own case trouble you? Fear not, for his strength is sufficient for you. Whether to begin with others, or to carry on the work in you, Jesus is "mighty to save;" the best proof of which lies in the fact that he has saved you. What a thousand mercies that you have not found him mighty to destroy!

Don't forget to subscribe for email alerts if you haven't already!

Love y'all
Ron and the Debster

Charles Spurgeon Morning and Evening - "The iron did swim." 2 Kings 6:6

Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening

"The iron did swim."
2 Kings 6:6 (NASB)

The axe-head seemed hopelessly lost, and as it was borrowed, the honour of the prophetic band was likely to be imperilled, and so the name of their God to be compromised. Contrary to all expectation, the iron was made to mount from the depth of the stream and to swim; for things impossible with man are possible with God. I knew a man in Christ but a few years ago who was called to undertake a work far exceeding his strength. It appeared so difficult as to involve absurdity in the bare idea of attempting it. Yet he was called thereto, and his faith rose with the occasion; God honoured his faith, unlooked-for aid was sent, and the iron did swim. Another of the Lord's family was in grievous financial straits, he was able to meet all claims, and much more if he could have realized a certain portion of his estate, but he was overtaken with a sudden pressure; he sought for friends in vain, but faith led him to the unfailing Helper, and lo, the trouble was averted, his footsteps were enlarged, and the iron did swim. A third had a sorrowful case of depravity to deal with. He had taught, reproved, warned, invited, and interceded, but all in vain. Old Adam was too strong for young Melancthon, the stubborn spirit would not relent. Then came an agony of prayer, and before long a blessed answer was sent from heaven. The hard heart was broken, the iron did swim.

Beloved reader, what is thy desperate case? What heavy matter hast thou in hand this evening? Bring it hither. The God of the prophets lives, and lives to help his saints. He will not suffer thee to lack any good thing. Believe thou in the Lord of hosts! Approach him pleading the name of Jesus, and the iron shall swim; thou too shalt see the finger of God working marvels for his people. According to thy faith be it unto thee, and yet again the iron shall swim.

Please comment below. And keep it civil, folks! Disagreement and debate are fine, name-calling and so forth, not acceptable, and may be deleted.
Don't forget to subscribe for email alerts if you haven't already!

Love y'all!